Iverson dealing with alcohol and gambling issues (Merged)

[hwangjini_1]

If he's really struggling with alcohol than I feel very bad for him. An internet msg board isn't really the place for discussion on it, but my father struggled with alcohol. Not as in he went out gambling and drank a lot but as in he wouldn't leave his bed for weeks at a time, unless it was to get more booze and went through the detox and rehab process half a dozen times before he finally got clean.

I can tell anyone who has not truly seen this kind of thing first hand, it is one of the toughest things a family can go through. I feel for AI's family and hope he finds some kind of peace. People have all kinds of motivation to self medicate, whether its alcohol, drugs, or whatever. I won't deny that it is wrong, but I will absolutely dispute the "he made his bed now he can sleep in it" kind of thinking. You will never find a person in your life who feels more alone, worthless, and self loathing than someone who is really deep in the clutches of alcoholism, and if you have really seen it, you know that thinking "well if they don't ask for help screw them" is just blind thinking.

I don't begrudge anyone that line of thought. I went through a whole gamut of emotions when helping my own father and my family though his addiction. I'm just saying from experience, there are many more reasons these people don't ask for help then pride or hubris. Once I understood that, there wasn't anything left to feel besides pity.

well said, and a tp for saying it.

i think your father is "fortunate" that he had a good family, and, that he managed to keep it under control after a long struggle.

a lot of people dont even have either of those.

this reminds me of earlier threads on vin baker.

i wish everyone with such addictions the best.

[Amonkey]

What I always respected AI for was that he was always real.  He never let the fans, the league or the media dictate who he was and that always left people with a bad taste in their mouths, even up to this day.  In today's game where you have players changing jerseys just to shoot up their jersey sales, or guys that will do crazy things with their hair and what not.  Iverson was never that kind of guy.  Whether you like him or you hate him, he never forgot his background.

He reminds everyone of a part of America that many of us don't know.  The street ghetto side.  We can characterize him for not molding to what we wanted to and that may be because the 'thugs' side is not something that we are comfortable with.  He was in your face.  I hope this ends up well, but I think AI has already done a job or reminding us that life is not suburban playing basketball with your brothers and sisters.  There are people in our country that live with way more obstacles, but he has shown that you can overcome those obstacles and make millions.  I think he has already set an example for the youth, maybe not your youth, but the youth of kids living in ghettos.  I just hope that this has a happy ending.

PS. I am posting this again because I think it got lost during the back and forth earlier.

[greg683x]

What I always respected AI for was that he was always real.  He never let the fans, the league or the media dictate who he was and that always left people with a bad taste in their mouths, even up to this day.  In today's game where you have players changing jerseys just to shoot up their jersey sales, or guys that will do crazy things with their hair and what not.  Iverson was never that kind of guy.  Whether you like him or you hate him, he never forgot his background.

He reminds everyone of a part of America that many of us don't know.  The street ghetto side.  We can characterize him for not molding to what we wanted to and that may be because the 'thugs' side is not something that we are comfortable with.  He was in your face.  I hope this ends up well, but I think AI has already done a job or reminding us that life is not suburban playing basketball with your brothers and sisters.  There are people in our country that live with way more obstacles, but he has shown that you can overcome those obstacles and make millions.  I think he has already set an example for the youth, maybe not your youth, but the youth of kids living in ghettos.  I just hope that this has a happy ending.

PS. I am posting this again because I think it got lost during the back and forth earlier.

Good post, I respectfully disagree though.  There are many players in the NBA, not to mention other sports, that came from the same rough backgrounds like youre saying Iverson did, but have better attitudes, are less selfish, and better team players.

Also, you point out that players change their jersey numbers to increase merchandise profits but that Iverson never did this.  True, Iverson never changed his jersey number, however the guy used his image as a thug to sell large amounts of jerseys, clothes, shoes, and also come out with rap albums knowing that people would buy them just bc of the name thats on the cover.  I dont see how thats much different.

The guy always left a bad taste in my mouth like you said, but it never had anything to do with him being from a ghetto or a background that I dont understand, it had to do with him being selfish and arrogant, and always putting himself before his team.  This has nothing to do with his background or coming from the ghetto.

I really hope his daughter comes out of this healthy and ok.   I do understand that he has a gambling and alcohol problem, and I really do hope he gets the help he needs.  This doesnt however change my feelings on Iverson the PERSON, who by no means set a great example for youths during his NBA career, IMO.

If you want a guy who came from a rough background, tough times as a kid, but fought through all the obstacles to be able to make something of himself and his family, and also a person who sets a great example for youth.....take a look at Leon Powe....hes the first example that comes to mind, but Im sure there are more examples and bigger names in the NBA that also fit Leons mold.

Just my opinion. 

[mmbaby]

There are some very judgemental people on this thread, who would probably find themselves shocked to see that they are full of faults of their own. And the fact that AI has (had) a lot of money has absolutely nothing to do with anything.
Some of those here who seem to be blessed with no human weaknesses might consider that most humans are not like them. It's true that people tend to judge others from their own perspective and experiences in life. But you can't truly judge someone else till you walk in their shoes. And saying that others have overcome certain problems as a reason he should or could overcome his (if, in fact, he does have substance problems - he may very well not), is incorrect. Everyone has a different temperament and background and to believe that we all handle our problems in the same way is false. If he, in fact, does have a substance problem, saying he has a choice in the matter is also false. Choice is the first thing that is taken away from addicts or people who are depressed or overcome by something internal or external (like drug addiction).
I wish Allen all the best and I do feel a great deal of sympathy for him. If he were a mean-spirited person, I might not. But he is obviously a caring father.